Supporting Champions

In this insightful episode I speak to with Tim Jones, the Associate Performance Director at British Swimming. A former Olympic athlete in the grueling 200m butterfly, Tim has transitioned from elite swimming to coaching, and now to a leadership role that spans multiple sports disciplines. With extensive experience across swimming, athletics, and gymnastics, Tim discusses his journey and the critic...

Welcome to the Supporting Champions podcast, hosted by performance scientist Dr Steve Ingham. In this episode, Steve is joined by Professor Sam Marcora, a leading researcher whose psychobiological model has revolutionized our understanding of training and performance. Together, they delve into the fascinating intersection of psychology and physiology, focusing on how mental fatigue impacts physica...

In today’s episode I’m delighted host Iñigo Mujika. It is no exaggeration to say that Inigo is one of the World’s leading applied physiologists with a particular specialism in endurance training, tapering, and peaking strategies and has an extensive background working with elite athletes across various sports. In this episode, Iñigo shares insights from his career, discussing the characteristics o...

Today, I’m joined by Stephen Seiler, a renowned expert in sports science, to explore the integration of technology in sports performance, education, and health. Stephen brings a wealth of knowledge from his extensive research into the physiological aspects of endurance training and his insights into the optimal use of technology in enhancing athlete performance. In our conversation, we discuss the...

In this episode, we spotlight the journey and insights of Mehdi Kordi. With a rich and varied background, from biomedical science, to aerospace physiology, to accountancy, to mice in the Andes (yes you heard me correctly), then ultimately into a career in sports science and eventually coaching at the elite end of cycling. First Mehdi was at British Cycling as the sports scientist and hen coach at...

Welcome back to the Supporting Champions Podcast. Today, we're exploring the transformative power of focusing on solutions, not problems, with the insightful Paul Z Jackson. From his early days as a comedy writer and improvisation teacher to becoming a pivotal figure in the world of applied improvisation, Paul's journey is as fascinating as it is varied. His work, especially the acclaimed book 'Th...

In this episode I speak to Meike Bartels, a renowned researcher in wellbeing and happiness. Meike's research work uncovers the layers that contribute to our sense of fulfilment, exploring how genetics, environment, and personal habits intertwine to shape our happiness. In our conversation, Meike highlights that wellbeing is an evolving state, influenced by positive surroundings and actions. We dis...

In this episode, we're joined by Prof Stuart Biddle, a leading figure in the psychology of physical activity, based at the University of Southern Queensland. Stuart's extensive work in exercise science and psychology provides groundbreaking insights into how exercise impacts our wellbeing. Our discussion today spans Stuart's illustrious career, from his early days contributing to the foundational...

Joining me this week is Andrew Rogers, a Chartered Consultant Clinical & Forensic Psychologist with over two decades of experience spanning elite sport, business, healthcare, prison services and more. As co-director of Changing Minds UK, Andrew brings a real wealth of knowledge on the psychological aspects of high performance, resilience, and emotional wellbeing. In our conversation, we focus...

In this episode I speak to David Robson, an award-winning science journalist. David's insightful exploration into the realms of cognitive psychology and human behaviour, particularly in his books 'The Intelligence Trap' and 'The Expectation Effect,' offers a fresh perspective on how our minds work, especially in high-performance environments. David's journey in science journalism has led him to un...

In this episode, we're exploring the themes of mindfulness, acceptance, and actionable confidence with authors Dr. Alison Maitland and Jenna Ashford, as they discuss their latest book, 'Drop the Struggle.' This thought-provoking work challenges readers to embrace discomfort, engage with the present, and focus on what truly matters. Alison and Jenna bring a wealth of experience to the table, and th...

In our latest episode of Supporting Champions, we had the opportunity to engage in a fascinating conversation with James Collins, recognised as a leading Sport & Exercise Nutritionist. In elite sport he has worked with Team GB Olympic teams and athletes over three Olympic Games. He joined Arsenal Football Club in 2010, where he spent seven seasons as the club’s first performance nutritionist....

In this episode of Supporting Champions, we're joined by Amy Edmondson, the Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at Harvard Business School and a leading authority on psychological safety. We delve into her new book, "The Right Kind of Wrong," a title that intriguingly challenges our perceptions of failure. Our conversation begins with Amy's sharing her expertise on creating environment...

In this week's episode, I'm excited to welcome back Cody Royle, author of "A Second Set of Eyes," for an in-depth discussion about the need for coaches to have coaches. We explore the often-unspoken emotional and psychological challenges coaches face, delving into themes like masculinity, individualism, and the necessity of a strong support network. The conversation, as you'd expect from anything...

In this episode I speak with, Holly Calvert and Nicole Booth, the co-founders of Athlete Now. This innovative platform is revolutionising the way athletes access expert performance support, from nutritionists and physiologists to essential services like insurance and legal support. Simultaneously, it's a game-changer for practitioners, offering them a space to showcase their services and connect w...

In this episode of the Supporting Champions Podcast, we're joined by Dan Abrahams, a highly respected sports psychologist known for his insightful and practical approach to team dynamics and performance psychology. Our discussion offers a deep dive into the psychological elements that are crucial for team success, making this episode a valuable listen for coaches, athletes, and leaders alike. We e...

In this episode, we're joined by Ben Sporer, a Canadian sports physiologist whose recent work challenges traditional notions of success in high-performance sports. His book introduces the concept of focusing on 'output'—the aspects of performance within our control—rather than 'outcome,' which is often subject to variables beyond our influence. Throughout our conversation, Ben breaks down the comp...

Today we're diving deep into a topic that's not just timely but also timeless: resilience. Our guest is Mustafa Sarkar, an expert in the psychology of resilience, particularly in the context of sports and high-performance environments. Mustafa's work has been pivotal in helping us understand what resilience is—and perhaps just as importantly, what it isn't. Whether you're an athlete, a coach, or a...

Today, we're venturing into the ever-evolving world of strength, power, and muscle growth. I'm thrilled to introduce our guest, Brad Schoenfeld, who hails from Lehman College  in New York and is a luminary in the field of strength and conditioning. Brad is not just an academic, he is an applied scientist and advisor. But in his work he is true to the principles of science in that while he advises...

Please take the time to fill in our survey about performance staff skills https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/skills/   In today’s episode we’re exploring a topic that sits at the very heart of performance, yet is often overlooked: the coach-athlete relationship. And I couldn't think of anyone better to discuss this with than our guest, Sophia Jowett.  Sophia is a leading expert in the field, kn...

"PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO FILL IN OUR SKILLS SURVEY" https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/skills/   Welcome back to the podcast proper! In this week's episode, we're tackling a subject that's crucial but often not given the attention it deserves: the recruitment process within high-performance teams. Our guest, David Slemen, is uniquely qualified to shed light on this topic. David is the founder o...

This week we're launching a major new survey. We've teamed up with Jamie Pringle to create one of the must comprehensive surveys about "what it takes to be successful as support practitioner". Please take 30 mins of your time to contribute to the survey. SURVEY  *** Academics, Professionals and Students - WE NEED YOU TO HELP US HELP THE INDUSTRY!*** In this discussion, Jamie and I talk through wha...

This week’s guest is Michael Johnson. Michael will not need an introduction to many of you, but for those who are not aware of one of the greatest athletes of all time and for those who want a recap here are a few highlights. Michael has won gold medals in 200, 400m and 4 x 400 at the Goodwill games. He took gold medals at the 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999 World Championships and golds the 1992, 19...

This week's guest is Nigel Adkins. Nigel is a former professional football player, coach and manager. He's also trained as a physiotherapist, so not only does he have experience of playing coaching but also has been part of the backroom staff too. Nigel is sharing, describing, and supporting others through the demands placed upon modern managers. He is passionate about helping others realise that...

This week’s guests are Zoe Knowles and Brendan Cropley Zoe is a Professor of Engagement and Learning at Liverpool John Moores University and Brendan is Professor of Sport Coaching at University of South Wales; and both are sports psychologists by trade. They are also pioneers for reflective practice in sport and have been moving this field forward together with a band of researchers and applied sc...